His Destructive, Toxic Love

Casper was in no mood for distractions. Right now, his focus was laser-sharp on regaining control of Welton International, and he wasn't about to let any surprises derail his plans. "Is she coming back home alone?"

"Yep. No one to lean on over there."

Casper massaged his temples. "Does Mom know about this?"

"Madam was probably there when it all went down," Dillon replied.

"Alright, bring her back to the family estate for now." He needed time to figure out what to do with this unexpected guest. "We'll sort it out after we secure Welton International." "Understood, Mr. Casper."

Casper didn't give it another thought.

Eliza, on the other hand, was in Falconridge, carefully looking after Mikey. She was always on high alert, worried Zach might try something drastic. But no matter how cautious she was, she couldn't avoid him forever. During one of Mikey's follow-up appointments, Zach showed up out of nowhere.

Eliza was taken aback at first. She handed Mikey over to a nurse, took a deep breath to steady herself, and then walked over to face him.

"Mr. Zach, you're not here for me, are you?"

Zach, hands in his pockets, gave a slight smile. "What do you think?"

"I'm sorry, but I barely talk to Casper. I'll find someone else to help."

Her refusal was clear, laced with a hint of disdain and contempt.

Zach's expression darkened. He grabbed the back of Eliza's neck and pulled her close. "You think sending the little guy away means I can't touch you? Eliza, even a cornered rabbit will bite, let alone a stray dog like me."

His eyes gleamed with a menacing light, as if he could tear her apart at any moment.

Liner

Eliza glared back, struggling fiercely. "Even if you kill me, what then? You know Casper better than anyone. he were the type to give up his empire for a woman, then Mr. Zach, your seduction schemes would be useless."

"You're different," he whispered near her ear. "He loves you."

Eliza laughed like she'd heard a joke. "Mr. Zach, you're giving me too much credit."

"Eliza, you have two choices. One, be my hostage and let's see if Casper would give up Welton International for you. Two, marry me. Choose."

Neither option was viable for Eliza. What puzzled her even more was why Zach suddenly wanted to marry her. Just to spite Casper by taking his woman and child, jabbing a knife into his heart? "Why bother?"

Though Zach wasn't as business-savvy as Casper, he had the means to live well.

"Zach, Welton International was never yours to begin with. You're just giving it back. Why must you fight Casper to the death? Aren't you tired?"

"Why should he inherit the Welton family's century-old business, and not me? Why?"

His anger was palpable, his resentment deep-seated.

From the moment he was born, he was not celebrated. As an illegitimate child, he always felt less than others. He envied Casper's background and the adoration he received from a young age. He was jealous of how easily Casper won women's hearts, something he could never achieve.

He refused to accept his lot in life. He wanted to prove himself, to show that even as an illegitimate child, he could rise above everyone else, even Casper ensuring he'd never recover. But bubbles are destined to burst.

He couldn't accept it.

"Eliza, you don't understand me. You don't know how lonely my heart is, how insecure I've felt all my life. You don't know how your rejection has made me lose the courage to pursue love. You just don't understand..."